hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Allows individuals to sue border agencies for rights violations.
Rep. Salinas and 16 co-sponsors introduced.
Introduced in the House, referred to committee.
This bill creates a new way for individuals to sue the U.S. government when officers or agents of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) violate their constitutional rights. It was introduced by Representative Salinas, whose party affiliation and state are not provided in the bill text, along with 16 other co-sponsors. The bill has been sent to the House Committee on the Judiciary for review.
Introduced Jan 30, 2026
The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and assigned to the Committee on the Judiciary. Before it can become law, it must be approved by this committee, pass a vote in the full House, then pass the Senate, and finally be signed by the President.
If passed, individuals who believe their constitutional rights were violated by ICE or CBP officers could file a civil lawsuit against the U.S. government. The bill would specifically allow for punitive damages, which are meant to punish wrongful conduct. Importantly, the government would not be able to use the defense of 'sovereign immunity,' which usually protects it from being sued without its consent, making these lawsuits potentially easier to pursue.
Supporters Say
Supporters believe this bill is necessary to hold federal border agencies accountable for constitutional rights violations and provide a remedy for victims.
Critics Say
The bill text does not include arguments from potential critics.
The bill's 'Findings' section states that CBP and ICE have 'undermined the fundamental rights guaranteed' by the Constitution, citing violations like racial profiling, unreasonable searches, and due process issues. It argues that providing a civil remedy is crucial when these officials violate rights. Since no opposition is detailed within the bill's text, any potential criticisms are not included here.